DENR rescued endemic wildlife

Two endemic Northern Luzon giant cloud rats scientific (Phloeomys pallidus) or locally known as Bu-ot were rescued recently in the towns of San Rafael and Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), this province in an effort to protect and save biodiversity.

 

According to Morgan Gallego, chief of the forest protection unit of CENRO Baliwag, a certain Edmund dela Cruz, resident of San Rafael town reported to their office the presence of this wild animal in their area.

 

He said the CENRO forest protection team conducted a successful rescue operation on the wildlife on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, another Northern Luzon giant cloud rat was also rescued on the same day in an abandoned house in Barangay Camachile in DRT.

 

Upon examination, the CENRO team found out that the wildlife had no injury and were healthy.

 

The two wildlife were immediately released at the more than 2,000-hectare Biak na Bato National Park in San Miguel, Bulacan.

 

Dennis Vergara, head of CENRO Baliwag urged the public to report to the nearest environment authorities in their area any illegal wildlife activities.

 

He also warned the public to refrain from catching and eating wildlife meat or bushmeat to prevent the spread of zoonotic disease.

 

According to study, the Northern Luzon giant cloud rat is a timid, forest-dwelling animals with long and rough fur, and is endemic to the island of Luzon where it is found in the northern and central provinces.

 

The giant cloud rats are primarily tree-dwelling, spending most of their time high in the branches and it can sometimes be seen moving slowly along the forest floor searching for food, the research added.

 

Republic Act 9147 or the wildlife protection and conservation law of 2001 prohibits the killing, destroying, trading, collecting, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives. (-30-)